"Catherine, Turquoise Teddy" 24x36 oil on canvas

Working larger than I've ever attempted and having a lot of fun with it. I have two more sessions to finish, and a few things that need to be changed. Unfortunately, I used a lousy canvas so the texture isn't good. Live and learn. But I feel like I'm making progress again after my hiatus, and I'm really enjoying my classes.

My second class is a drawing class, which is really fantastic. Great teacher, Gabriella Dellosso. But not a lot to show from the class. Lots of exercises, lots of learning. Just what I wanted.

Connie & Pigeon (18 x 24 oil on canvas)

I know, weeks go by and I post nothing, then two in one day. Inconsistent. But it's the end of two weeks of class, so here's what I've been working on. Unfortunately, bad photo. Color is off, as well as some glare. But I was so happy to get back to painting. And in spite of some drawing accuracy issues, I was pleased with my progress on this as a re-entry painting. I'm ready to work hard and make progress, and I'll post occasionally as paintings and drawings warrant.

Back to Classes

Cecily (10x20 oil on canvas). After 3 weeks off, I'm finally back to painting. Actually, I've been back for 2 weeks but did several days of sketches and color studies that I've chosen not to post. Unfortunately there isn't anywhere at the school where I seem to be able to get a good photo. Either too much glare or too dark. Oh, well. Here is the small painting from my afternoon class. Last week for this class. Next week I change to a morning painting class and an afternoon drawing class. I've decided that my weakness, and the source of much of my frustration is in the fundamentals of drawing. So I'm going to work on it. Not sure what I will feel like posting, but I will be back periodically with postings that I feel good about.

Hiatus Continued. . .

Fabulous Fall Foliage here in VT. A lovely mountain stream I shot while hiking near Camel's Hump Mountain, and a shot of our driveway with the changing leaves on the young maple trees. It is so beautiful here this time of year. Everywhere you look is a picture.

My hiatus from painting continues another week at least. I am having a long-buried wisdom tooth removed tomorrow, so will recover in this beautiful place for the rest of the week. Assuming all goes well, I will be back to NY and art classes next week. For now, enjoy my photography. . .

Keep painting friends.

A Brief Hiatus

Sometimes life intervenes. I will be going to VT for the rest of this week so John Henry and Marie will go unfinished. No great loss. I am not happy with my work in either of the classes. Having a bit of a crisis of confidence in my figure painting abilities. I knew I would struggle after the summer off, after spending time painting from photos not life. Suffice it to say, I am struggling. I have taken the unsuccessful attempts down from the blog. I'm also re-thinking how I deal with the blog. Not sure I can handle posting all the work in process. TBD. . .

Hopefully a little time off to attend to a few things will put me in a better frame of mind. For now, I am going to post two of my best from last year to encourage myself to keep going. I'll be back as soon as possible!

Keep painting, friends. I'll be watching you for inspiration and encouragement. Don't hesitate to get in touch by email or by Facebook. "Friend" me if you FB! Take care. . .

"Moored in the Marina" 8x8 oil on panel

Point Bay Marina where we dock our boat is in a lovely little harbor with the Green Mountains off in the distance. I snapped the photo as we were coming home one evening. My first attempt at painting sailboats.

"Caught Napping" (v.2) 6x8 oil on panel

A few final touches on my napping gentleman at the South Street Seaport. I also think you can see the colors better in this photo, except for a little glare in the forefront. I'm starting to inventory supplies for figure painting classes, thinking toward packing up the VT studio and moving the painting down to NY. It feels like "back to school" time. Excitement, anticipation, a little nervousness. Hopefully I can do one or two more daily paintings this week, and then back to school.

"Late Summer Field" 8x8 oil on panel

A quick sketch today, a little daily painting, but finally I am able to get back to it. It feels so good to be painting again. I wanted something quick and easy for my re-entry. Nothing frustrating or difficult or discouraging. It seems like it has been forever, and I've really allowed "life" to get in the way. It's been a good summer, though. Lots of family this year. But very, very good. I'm hoping to paint several more days over the next week and a half before I start back to the National Academy. Then I will have to find my way as to what i want to post on the blog. Figure painting from life is so much more of a struggle than these little paintings from photographs. . . Oh, well, we'll see. For now, a little taste of Vermont's late summer fields.

Finally!

Tomorrow. . . I get to paint tomorrow.

"Pigeon" 18x18 oil on canvas

I haven't had much time to paint and consequently no postings. Today I am working on my re-stretching project. Two of my figurative pieces from last years class with Sharon Sprung seemed to lend themselves to "cropping" when I photographed them. So, here is the 2nd one, being re-stretched from 18x24 to 18x18. This model, whose name was Pigeon (my apologies if I'm spelling it wrong) was so incredibly beautiful. And a sweet personality to match. So I think she will make it to a wall somewhere. The other one is on a previous post on the blog.

Oh, worth noting: my museum visits have been incredibly inspiring. Especially this week when I re-visited the Matisse exhibit at MOMA and then drove up to Williamstown, MA to the Clark to see the Degas/Picasso show. There were a few pieces of both Degas and Picasso that I had never seen. "Woman Ironing" by each artist were so moving, so expressive, so absolutely wonderful that I kept returning over and over. The Picasso one is angular and textured and very, very sad. The Degas is luminous and beautiful. Nothing beats seeing them in person. Reproductions just can't capture the colors, textures and vibrancy of oils. I was so inspired! Can't wait to get back to figure painting in September!

For now, the busy-ness of August continues. . .

"4th of July - Nature's Fireworks" 9x12 oil on panel

Such a gorgeous weekend, I wanted to paint a little of nature's splendor. Found a photo from 4th of July weekend at a friend's house on Shelburne Bay. Fun and fast little painting.

I hope to keep up with some daily paintings as the Summer winds down, but August seems to always be a busy month with guests, family, and friends trying to make the most of the season. We also have a construction project begging for my attention, along with several trips to NY. I can't believe this summer is almost over. It has been such a good experience to do these little daily paintings and post them on the blog. But August calls, and then September brings a return to NY and classes at the National Academy. So, this is a preamble to say I just don't know how consistent I will be with my posts to the blog over the next couple of months. And I'm even more unsure of how it will all work when I am back in figure painting classes.

But I will continue to post what I am working on, and I will continue to follow all my blog friends who are able to do their daily paintings. I hope we can all keep in touch one way or another. Thanks for visiting! And please be in touch! I love hearing from you either by comments, email, or facebook.

"Conference Room" 8x8 oil on panel

Another race-day image. I wish I had had more time for this one, and maybe I will re-visit it either on this little painting or in a larger format. I just love the guys body language. The tree looks like it is listening in on the conversation.

"After Sorolla -- White Roses" 12x16 oil on canvas

Something old, something new. The painting is old, a copy of a favorite by one of my favorite artists Joaquin Sorolla. I had wonderful day yesterday in NY with a very good friend. We ended up at my apartment looking at art books including one of Sorolla's work. It reminded me of this painting that I did a long time ago.

Two things to see in NY if you have a chance. One, Sorolla's work at the Hispanic Society. He is truly one of the most amazing artists, and the murals are totally staggering. I could look for hours! There is also a fantastic book available through Amazon that is written and edited by his grand daughter. Email me if you want more info.

Also, (and the reason I don't have a new painting to post) the Matisse exhibit currently at MOMA!!!! Just amazing. Many paintings I have never seen. Many I was not familiar with. The show is so well done. Such a fantastic learning experience. Go, if at all possible!!!!

A new painting tomorrow, I hope. . .

"Race Day Volunteer" 6x6 oil on panel

A RaceVermont volunteer waiting for the racers to come through. It's a huge community effort to support these mini-triathlons. The race starts with a swim in the lake, then a bike ride and finishes with a run. Couldn't do it without all the volunteers -- and the orange cones. Gotta love 'em.

"Fire Island Lighthouse" 5x7 oil on panel

I love lighthouses. I shot this photo from the car, that lovely day that my husband and I went to Jones Beach to walk (and escape the City on a Sunday afternoon.) I've gotten a lot of paintings from that one day's photos. I was giving some thought to doing a larger version of this. These little daily paintings are great studies for helping to determine if something warrants a larger piece and all the time and effort that entails. Not sure this one does, but I like it as a 5x7.

"Buddies at the Bike Race" 8x8 oil on panel

Our health club sponsors a race series called Race Vermont (racevermont.com) and the mini-triathlons are a very fun event. People of all shapes and sizes come out to watch and cheer on the racers. I got some good pics yesterday to paint from.

"Neighbor's Old Red Barn" 5x7 oil on panel

More symbols of summer in VT: adirondack chairs, a flag flying in the breeze, flowers in a window box, shadows on the side of an old barn in need of a paint job. You just know the barn cat will be doing his rounds soon.

"My Sister Kayaking" 5x7 oil on panel

A perfect summer day on Lake Champlain. Puffy clouds, blue sky, Garden Island and Cedar Island in the background. My sister's first time in a kayak. She loved it! A very happy day.

"Fishin' on the Dock" 8x10 oil on panel

Garden Island across from our house. My sister and I were kayaking and I snapped this shot. Perfect summer image. Again, hard to photograph the painting and it doesn't do it justice. Feels good to be back painting after a few days off.

"Colorful Travelers" 8x8 oil on panel

At the Old Brick Store in the village of Charlotte, VT, a meeting place for many colorful characters. I started this painting last week but felt it needed some more time. Several things really bothered me, including how it reproduced. I think I made it better, and the photo is definitely more accurate. Although I'm constantly surprised at how much is lost in the photo. Oh, well. . . Tomorrow I will be starting a new painting and hopefully will have sufficient time to finish a good "daily painting." I have some fun new reference photos, so check back for new stuff late tomorrow and throughout the week.

"Father's Day Sunset" 18x18 oil on canvas

I gave this one another day. It needed more paint and there were some colors I didn't like. Given that it is 18x18 I think two days are OK. Fun to kind of go color-crazy. But, in truth, the photo seems awfully dark. So hard to photograph paintings.

"Our Neighbors' Docks" 5x7 oil on canvas

Lake toys. Quintessential summer scene. Photo shot from our beach where we launch the kayaks and throw the frisbee for Kate's dog. Summer in VT is wonderful!

"Going Home Alone" 6x6 oil on panel

This is the first painting I have "sold". Well, he wanted to buy it, but I gave it to him. It was my former boss, a serious art collector. He saw it on Facebook where I posted a few pics before starting the blog. I just couldn't bring myself to put a price on something so little, quick and easy. Is that silly? Anyway, it's the first painting that has gone to someone other than family. (Yes, I'm that new at it, and that insecure.) Feels kind of good. Shipped it out yesterday. Thank you, Michael!

"Nude Back - Maria" re-stretch to 13x20 oil on canvas

Here is the "cropped" image. I'm working on re-stretching. Sore fingers! But worth it, I think.

"Maria - Nude Back" 18x24 oil on canvas

This painting is from my figure class in NY with Sharon Sprung. I struggle with composition when painting from life. I've decided to "crop" it -- so easy in iPhoto. The project for the day is to re-stretch onto new stretcher bars.

"Shadows & Reflections" 5x7 oil on panel

Another in the beach series, my husband on a cool day at Jones Beach, a favorite place for an afternoon escape from the city especially "off season". I didn't expect to get a new painting today as it is so terribly hot here in VT. But the studio was surprisingly cool in the morning, and bearable in the afternoon when it was time to finish it. (My sweet husband came in to visit and promptly went in search of a window air conditioner. He's my biggest fan and supporter! So this one, for so many reasons, is dedicated to him.)

"Son at Sunset" 5x7 oil on panel

Here's an update of yesterday's post. For some reason this one is being very difficult to reproduce. The pinks are just not coming through. Who knows...

"Green Shoe" 6x6 oil on panel

This one is from the Karin Jurick workshop and NY photos. I started a new painting yesterday that I am really excited about, but didn't have the time to finish, photograph and post. We have major construction going on at our house, so lots of interruptions. So, I decided to post an older piece. Hopefully the new one will be ready later today, and at the latest tomorrow.

"Yellow Kayak on Rocky Shore" 6x6 oil on panel

A fun little painting today (no people), so I couldn't wait to post it. Although, the photo dulls it down a lot and I may need to re-shoot it. I took the picture when we were sailing one day.

"Central Park Fiddler" 6x6 oil on panel

Still struggling to keep bright, clean colors, but having fun with NY musicians.

"Bass Player" (update) 6x6 oil on panel

A few changes and more street musicians to come.

"Street Musicians - Stand-up Bass" 6x6 oil on panel

I've started a series of daily paintings of street musicians in NY. I think this was an early photo of the Bass Player so I may post it again with final changes/enhancements.

"At The Beach" (series) 6x6 oil on panel

These are 3 little daily paintings that I did on returning from Karin Jurick's workshop in NY. The reference photos were taken one day at Jones Beach. I call the paintings "Chasing Seagulls", "Hats & Sweatshirts" and "Going Home Alone". I'm still learning this blog-thing. Haven't figured out how to put titles under the images. . . It's all a learning process.

"Kendall & Jackson" 18x24 acrylic on paper

Another tribute to Karin Jurick, I've always loved her paintings of people in museums. This is my niece, Kendall who fell in love with Jackson Pollock at MOMA. It is a larger piece and done in acrylic on paper which is a real departure for me, something I was experimenting with at the time. But I think it's fun.

"How Now Brown Cow" and "At The Beach" 6x8 oil on panel

These are two more images inspired by Karin Jurick and her "Different Strokes for Different Folks" blog. I painted them but was technologically challenged and unable to post at the time, so today I celebrate how far I've come! Still learning every day, both the technology and the art. But I'll spend a few posts catching up, and then soon will begin to post newly painted pieces.

"With the Guys" 6x6 oil on panel

This is the first post on my blog. It is appropriate that I start my blog with this little daily painting since I painted it in Karin Jurick's Workshop. Karin is an inspiration! I hope this blog will be a record of my journey as an artist. My goal is to post about 3 times a week with new paintings. More often when I am in "daily painting" mode like in the summer when I am not in art class. I am learning so much every day: about painting, about publishing the paintings, which includes learning to photograph and edit the photos as well as create a blog on which to post. It is an adventure.